How to Convince Your Friends That Black Cats Represent Good Luck

Have you noticed that cats with completely black fur are rarer than pure white cats?

The probability of encountering a pure white cat in our daily lives is about 0.3% worldwide. Pure white cats account for only 2% to 5% of the cat population globally, yet many cat owners claim to have a pure white cat at home.

However, pure black cats are rarely seen, and many cat owners find pure black cats to be very handsome and unique. They want to have one but simply can't find where to get a black cat.

There are fewer cat owners who keep black cats. On one hand, black cats are less common; on the other hand, the symbolic meanings behind black cats contribute to this rarity.

Since ancient times, people have always believed that cats are highly spiritual animals capable of communicating with the supernatural, especially black cats. So when it comes to keeping black cats, it’s not just about having a pet; it’s almost like offering a deity at home.

The belief that black cats can communicate with the supernatural was universally accepted thousands of years ago, despite the lack of information exchange between continents. Moreover, there are varying opinions on whether black cats attract evil or ward it off. Let's explore how bizarre the global beliefs about black cats can be.

In ancient China, black cats were also known as "Xuan Cats." Black with a hint of red is referred to as "Xuan," meaning that the black fur of the cat subtly shows red. In ancient times, black cats were believed to be able to drive away evil, protect against evil, and ward off evil spirits. Yellow-eyed black cats could attract wealth, green-eyed black cats could protect the home, and there was a saying that evil spirits could not enter through the tail of a Qilin (a mythical creature).

The "Ming and Qing Yin-Yang Feng Shui Theories" state: “Xuan cats are objects that ward off evil. They should be placed in the south. Suitable for all descendants. Avoid easy movement.” This means that if you have a black cat at home, it should be kept at the entrance (placed in the south, as in ancient times, houses were built facing south) to protect the family and future generations.

In ancient China, black cats were always seen as auspicious beasts that could drive away evil and bring fortune. However, during the late Qing Dynasty, different opinions began to emerge. Some people believed that black cats were associated with evil spirits and could attract misfortune. Later, the beliefs about black cats became mixed, but the impression of black cats having spiritual qualities remained deeply ingrained.

It is generally believed that the earliest domestic cats originated from ancient Egypt, and the cat culture in ancient Egypt was also full of mystery. In ancient Egypt, cats enjoyed a sacred and noble status, and black cats were the deities in charge of death, capable of driving away evil spirits.

In ancient Egyptian culture, the role of black cats was to have those who harbored grudges to worship them and make wishes to the black cat deity. The more malicious the wish, the easier it was to fulfill. However, if the wish was granted, the black cat deity would collect a certain fee.

Whether the black cat deity truly had this power is unknown, but this legend clearly tells everyone: Doing bad deeds comes with a price!

During the dark Middle Ages in Europe, black cats experienced an unprecedented disaster. They were considered the pets of witches and were deemed evil.

In medieval Europe, people believed that black cats had nine lives. When people killed a witch, she would transform into a black cat. Because black cats had nine lives, witches could transform eight more times.

In 1233, the Pope explicitly stated, “Black cats are messengers of the devil, associated with hell and sin.”

With the outbreak of the Black Death in Europe at that time, people believed that black cats were the source of the Black Death, leading to the prolonged persecution of black cats and witches. As a result, black cats in Europe became symbols of evil and Satan.

However, modern people deduce from historical records that the Black Death was likely the plague, spread by rats, and black cats were unjustly blamed. Even if it weren't for the mass killing of cats during the medieval European witch hunts, the Black Death might not have spread and lasted as long, considering that cats are natural enemies of rats.

In England, people believe that having a black cat can bring good luck. Black cats are considered the best gifts for newlyweds and can bring good fortune to the bride. If a black cat walks up to you and allows you to pet its head, it signifies good luck; if it lets you pet its tail, the opposite is true;

In Scotland, people believe that black cats can bring wealth to their owners;

In Italy, people believe that if a black cat stays at a patient's bedside, the patient is going to die;

In Romania, India, and North America, it is believed that if a black cat crosses the path you have just walked on, misfortune will follow;

In Japan, it is believed that single women who keep black cats can attract romantic opportunities;

In Finland, people believe that black cats can send wandering souls back to the underworld.

In ancient times, when information exchange was limited, black cats around the world were associated with evil spirits, likely due to the characteristics of black cats themselves.

Cats themselves are agile animals, and black cats, due to their fur color, are harder to spot when they hide, especially at night. Cats walk silently, and their eyes can reflect green light at night, suddenly appearing in front of people, making it easy to associate them with ghosts or similar entities.

However, attributing the ability to attract or ward off evil to black cats is purely superstitious. Black cats are just different in color from other cats and are no different from them in reality. They also eat cat food, bask in the sun, nap lazily, groom themselves, and seek cuddles from their owners.

There are so few completely black cats, so if you encounter one, it’s definitely a super lucky event. However, keeping a black cat might mean playing a daily game of “hide and seek” with your cat, right?